Best Available Shooters: 10 Best From Long Range

Qualifications: Every college coach has made the statement: “We need guys who can shoot.” Every analyst and basketball fan has noticed the value of the three point shot. It’s not rocket science, if you can recruit a guy who can flat out shoot from three, you’ll win. This list sets out the best available shooters. Three point shooting is the only thing being explored here. This is not a list of the best players who can also shoot. Simply, the best shooters who are unsigned seniors from Maine to Virginia. Prep schools are included in this. If you graduate in 2017 and are on of the best shooters available: you’re on this list. If you’re a college coach, you should be all over these 10.

Players are in no particular order. Please enjoy the third installment of Pooley’s Picks.

Matt Donahue: Matt is a catch and shoot nightmare. He’s 6’2″ and is a great compliment to a scoring guard who can draw attention. You can tell he works his ass off and it shows in what he can do beyond the arc. He moves well without the ball and is excellent coming off a down screen or staggered double.

Range

21′

Quick Release

B+

Form

B-

Off The Dribble

B+

Catch and Shoot

A

Thomas Binelli: If we’re isolating shooting the rock Thomas Binelli is someone who can do it at any level. Every bit of 6’7″ Binelli thrives outside the three point line. Great off the catch and the dribble, leaning in and fading away, Binelli is a SHOOTER! A bunch of schools have overlooked the big guy, but someone will come around.

Range

24′

Quick Release

B-

Form

A-

Off The Dribble

A-

Catch and Shoot

A

Reese Mona: Most people might describe Reese Mona, 6’3″ senior at St. John’s, as a role player. Ask those same people to list guys they don’t want taking the last shot against their team: Reese Mona. The guard is among the best available shooters specifically because he hits big shots and does it against the best of competition.

Range

21′

Quick Release

B+

Form

B-

Off The Dribble

B+

Catch and Shoot

A

Devin Jensen: Devin Jensen, 6’4″ senior at Manasquan, has the purest release possible. Watching Devin shoot is just fun. While he can do more than just shoot, his 3-pt jumper is the deadliest around. Range, a high release, excellent form, and ZERO conscience is what makes Devin one of the best available shooters. Tall shooters like him won’t stay available for too long.

Range

26′

Quick Release

A-

Form

A+

Off The Dribble

A-

Catch and Shoot

A

George Pappas: A Maine representative on the list, George Pappas can shoot and he knows it. The long guard is tough and can get busy from deep. After graduating from Union Catholic, George now attends Gould Academy in Bethel Maine. George won’t ever turn down a look and uses his jumper to set up the rest of his game.

Range

23′

Quick Release

A

Form

B+

Off The Dribble

A-

Catch and Shoot

A

Charles Falden: Falden can do more than just shoot, but is at his best from long range. Surprising that someone who can stick it like Falden doesn’t have a laundry list of offers. However, this guard probably won’t be under-recruited for long (Coach Myers and Massanutten known for helping recruits). Look for Falden to shoot at a high clip from three this season and lock up offers sooner rather than later.

Range

22′

Quick Release

B+

Form

B-

Off The Dribble

A

Catch and Shoot

B+

Dom Fragala: Dom is a tough, heady guard, who you simply cannot leave open. The 5’11” combo has range for days and dets up a lot of his shots off the bounce. Dom plays through contact and has a lot of experience getting his shot off against taller defenders. Dom hits big shots and certainly is one of the best available shooters.

Range

22′

Quick Release

B+

Form

B+

Off The Dribble

A

Catch and Shoot

B+

Michael Speight: First, Speight has been a Hoop Group campers for years. He elevated his game this past year and was selected as one of the Top 20 all-stars at Elite 1. Most of the difference with Mike comes with a new found consistency on his 3-pt shot. Always dangerous, Mike now is much more consistent, that’s what makes the Wise guard one of the top available shooters.

Range

22′

Quick Release

B

Form

B+

Off The Dribble

A-

Catch and Shoot

A-

Andre Rafus: The big lefty has bounced around a little but, but his threes rarely do. The long, 6’8″ wing, with tremendous form and a quick release has landed at Lake Clifton. Highly touted, and probably the highest recruited player on this list, Rafus is one of the top available shooters for sure.

Range

21′

Quick Release

B+

Form

A-

Off The Dribble

B-

Catch and Shoot

A

Jamil Pasha: “Jamie” is admittedly a kid I haven’t seen a lot, but every I have he’s stroked it. The 6’2″ Bishop Ireton senior, has range and is smooth as can be. With a high release point and his ability to hunt shots make him a must have on this list.

Range

22′

Quick Release

B-

Form

A-

Off The Dribble

B-

Catch and Shoot

A

Quick Rant About Shooters: Every college coach says they want shooters and there are some out there who genuinely recruit them. However, what I see more of is college coaches recruiting kids who can shoot. They like a kids overall game and they say “and he can shoot”. Unfortunately, I think this is backwards. College coaches need to be recruiting kids that are SHOOTERS, and saying things like “and he can play”. Most of the time when you recruit a non-shooter, they don’t turn into a shooter. However, when you recruit a shooter there is room for things like ball handling, Bball IQ, Body, and defense to come along once they enroll. It’s hard for a non-shooter to become a shooter, it’s easier for a kid to get in better shape or learn an offense. Shooting is as much an art as it is a science and guys need to be recruiting kids who are shooters. Over half of the schools in Division 1 don’t shoot 35% from behind the three point line. Recruit one of the kids we’re talking about today and turn that around!